178 
character which is supposed to represent a bundle of reeds. As a root, 
this seems to signify ‘‘ to clothe or wrap up,’’ and so may be connected 
with o7é\dw. I repeat, that I do not consider these analogies as proofs. 
I only regard them as heightening a previously existing probability. 
But even ifit should turn out that the consonantal value of this charac- 
ter was some other modified sibilant, the syllable 7s or 7ss might still be 
derivable from that with a vowel supplied at its beginning. Enough, 
I trust, has been said to show that the reading Jssakar is not a mere ar- 
bitrary one, but that arguments which appear to have some weight may 
be adduced in its favour. Whether or not this opinion is sound, must 
be decided by others. I have no doubt that the truth will ultimately 
revail. 
: There are many points of great interest to which I have in this pa- 
per merely alluded; at a future period I hope that I may discuss them 
at greater length. 
Sir W. R. Hamilton communicated the concluding part of his paper 
‘On certain Equations in Quaternions, connected with the Theory of 
Fresnel’s Wave Surface.” 
W. R. Wilde, M. R. I. A., exhibited :—1. The head of the old Con- 
naught ox, as an illustration of his remarks made at a former meeting. 
2. Some gold ornaments found recently in the county of Kildare, at Bal- 
linderry, near Enfield, and a number of bones of horses and other animals 
discovered at the same time. 3. An ancient crozier, found in the county 
of Cavan, and known as the “Crozier of the O’Bradys.” 4. A MS., 
called the ‘‘ Plunket MS.,” and now the property of the Earl of Fingal. 
Mr. Wilde gave a description of the MS. and its contents. 
Srz W. R. Hamirron handed in a letter, addressed to him by Mr. 
Graham, of Markree Observatory, containing observations on Donati’s 
Comet. 
Markree Observatory, Colloony, Nov..6, 1858. 
Dear Srz Wit11am,—At the conclusion of our series of observations 
of Donati’s Comet I was encouraged, by the length of arc described since 
the first discovery, to undertake the calculation of the orbit, in the hope 
of being able to settle the question of ellipticity to my own satisfaction. 
The observations selected, freed from aberration and parallax, were— 
Greenwich M. T. Rt. Ascen. Declin. 
1858, June, . . . 8:35573 . . . 141°15’38"-7. . . 4+24°27'49'"7 
» August, . . 25°52010. . . 156 3021 2. ..433 6 21 °4 
9,  October,. . 16:°28287 . . . 243 58 1:°7...-—1618 41 2 
Made at Florence, Washington, and Markree respectively. 
I first attempted to represent them by a parabola, and obtained the 
following set of elements :— 
T= 1858, Sept. 29:97161 Greenwich M. T. 
am =294°18'39"°5 ) Mn. Eqx. 
Q=165 15 52 a 1858-0 
a =116 56 26 °3 
log g = 9°761856. 
